Recently, Manchester City goalkeeper Ortega was interviewed by the Manchester Evening News, delving into why he chose to extend his contract with City, his review of last season and his expectations for the new season.
Ortega was humble and goal-oriented when talking about his reputation as "the best second goalkeeper in the world". He said that although he is happy with the praise from the outside world, his goal is always to be the first goalkeeper of the team. He emphasized that he has been trying to catch up with starting goalkeeper Ederson and gives him full support on and off the field. At the same time, he admits that every player aspires to play and progress, and while he works towards that every day, the choice is ultimately up to the coach.
Ortega gave multiple reasons as to why he decided to stay at Manchester City. Firstly, he mentioned the family factor, stating that he didn't want to put them through the hassle of moving and adapting to a new environment again, and that they were very happy in Manchester. Secondly, he quoted Carson - "the grass isn't always greener somewhere else" - and believes it makes perfect sense. He believes that he has been given enough games at Manchester City and with the team being one of the best clubs in the world, leaving would not be an easy decision. Finally, he expressed his deep affection for City and his unfinished business, believing that he still has a lot to do at City.
Reflecting on the key games of last season, Ortega singled out the moment he pounced on Son's solo goal against Tottenham. He said that while such a save did not come as a surprise to him, the atmosphere that night and the importance of the game made the save particularly crucial. At the same time, he also spoke candidly about the FA Cup final where a miscommunication with Gwadior led to United's goal, arguing that the game of soccer is so full of unknowns and variables.
Ortega showed a high level of professionalism and a well-prepared attitude towards the expectations of the new season. He said he will not let his guard down because of last season's unexpected success, but will start preparing as usual a week before training. He emphasized that he won't be idle on the bench either, and will be watching the game and his teammates' performances carefully so that he can quickly integrate into the game and contribute when needed.
